NY Power Authority 11.6.09

[Nikole Seitz]

On Friday, November 6th, the Undergraduate Academies took a trip to the NY Power Authority in Lewiston -- just north of Niagara Falls.

The plant, located about 4 1/2 miles downstream from Niagara Falls, has two main facilities: the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant and the Lewiston Pump-Generating Plant. Robert Moses, one of New York's most influential planners during the 20th century, was very involved in the planning of the Power Plant -- for instance, unlike our neighbors to the North (Oh, Canada!), the United States has their transformers underground, as it was Moses' wish to preserve the natural green space near the Plant. Likewise, other styles "à la Moses" include symmetry and consistency in the overall design of the plant. The Canadian Power Plant, located just across the gorge, was constructed at the same times as the American Plant.

The Power Plant has 13 turbines -- massive rotary engine -- that converts water into energy. Massive intakes on the River, located just up stream (you can see them as 6 story "towers" along the River), divert water to the Power Plant and Pump-Generating Plant. These intakes can divert over HALF of the water supply that makes it to the falls -- and if needed, it can help "turn off" the falls! During the tourist season (April to the end of October), Canada and the US must allow 100,000 cfs of water to the Falls; though this can be cut to half during the nighttime hours. However, outside of this season, the volume flowing over the Falls could be MUCH lower than half! The Niagara River provides a substantial amount of water to the plant. Gravity plays a big role in the operation of these turbines and the conduits, etc.

Remember the Black Out on August 13th 2003 -- where power was knocked out from Ohio down to the City? This Power Plant supplies enough electricity to ALL SEVEN states that touch the Great Lakes!

The Plant offers free tours almost every day of the week -- engineers from around the country AND the glove tour the facility to see how this large Plant was built. Check it out!